The monopodials are a large group of pscudobulbless orchids which grow continuously from a stem. These plants usually consist of a single upright rhizome with the leaves being produced from the centre. As each new leaf is formed and the plant progresses upwards, the effect is of a single stern bearing leaves from alternative sides.

This presents a flat appearance and does not form a rosette. There are many hundreds of different species within dozens of different genera, which are widely distributed from Africa through India, Asia, right across to the Philippines and Australasia.

With no enforced rest and no tilting stress to the plant, they become the most beautiful specimens under care, exhibiting their luxuriant clean foliage which is a joy in itself. The flowering of such plants comes as an extra bonus! The green-leaved species which originate from the far east can be grown in a cool, shady situation. The larger, more fleshy varieties from the Philippine Islands and Malaysian Peninsula require warmer conditions, also with good shade. Very few pests will attack these orchids, which are among the cleanest to grow.

Growing feather palms to a reasonable size is a long, slow process, so plants of specimen size are invariably expensive. The plants require a warm, light position in which to grow, preferably in a moist atmosphere. Water freely during the spring and summer months, and in moderation at other times. In the garden room, and indoors where it is practical, plants will benefit from having their leaves syringed with water during the summer months.

Iron deficiency is a problem that will result in leaves taking on a hard, yellow appearance; sequestrene of iron used according to the manufacturer’s directions will help to combat this. With larger plants an old remedy was to place a piece of sulphate of iron on top of the soil, a little of which was, watered into the compost to keep the plant in good condition.

One of the most graceful of the feather palms is Phoenix roebell,which has delicate leaves that appear almost, silver when the light catches them at the righte angle. P. canariensis is a little coarser in appearance, and develops into a very much larger plant in time. The date palm of commerce is P. daciylifera.

Cymbidiums are the most widely grown orchids in cultivation. They are also the largest among the widely cultivated types. Their pseudobulbs are large, up to the size of an orange, short and stout. They are sheathed by the bases of the evergreen leaves, which remain intact after the leaves have been shed.

Their somewhat flattened ovoid pseudobulbs are bright green and carry a pair of evergreen leaves from the apex. Several smaller leaves are formed lower down near the base of the pseudobillb.

There are very few pests which bother odontoglossums; greenfly may occur on the young buds and slugs and snails have a liking for flower spikes and buds, in addition to attacking the succulent pseudobulbs.

Among the species are a few which need a rest during the winter months. These include Odontoglossum grande, and citrosmum. Most species and all hybrids do not rest significantly. The only time they are not actively growing is when flowering, when watering is continued. Odontoglossum hybrids take approximately ten weeks from the time the flower spike is seen to blooming and the flowers will last for six to eight weeks.

The continued existence of the plant is completely reliant upon the foliage, terete leaves which have become completely rounded, thinner than a pencil, their surface reduced to the minimum to prevent overheating and dehydration. No part of the plant is soft, the roots are thin and wiry, the leaves hard, almost rough to the touch. Thus the plant is able to stand a severe climate, at the same time capable of extracting what little moisture there is available through its foliage.

They grow from a fleshy horizontal rhizome which lies on the ground. Their plants form a rosette of leaves and bloom from the centre upon maturity of the growth. The glistening beauty of the leaves can be a deep velvety green, copper or mauve, laced with gold or silver threads.

Lacking the rigidity to grow upright the plant forms a pendent green shower, ideally fitted to a cooler climate which. experiences high winds. In cultivation it is ideally suited to culture on bark.

The genus Vanda belongs to the large group of monopodials which are widely distributed throughout Africa and the Indian subcontinent, the Far East and Northern Australia. The plants grow by producing a single upright rhizome with leaves on alternate sides. New leaves always come from the top.

The keen plantsman is likely to encounter a number of Polyscias, which belong to the Araliaceae family. All these are better suited to greenhouse cultivation rather than indoors, so ilk garden room is a possibility. Polyscias Imlfiniriana, and in particular the improved form P. b. Pinocchio, is one of the best, the improved form having creamy-yellow leaves. In time it will attain a height of 10 ft. or more when confined td a pot, but this will take a number of years.

Plants will do quite well in the 10 Celsius minimum suggested, but will thrive that much better if the temperature can be kept at a higher level. It is important to remember, though, that hot and dry conditions can do more harm than good, so increased temperatures should also call for increased humidity.

The silvery grey Pilea cadierei was at one time the most popular but has now been superseded by the much more compact and attractive P. c. nana, which has smaller leaves of brighter appearance. The artillery plant, P. microphylla, gets its common name from the way seed pods ‘explode’ and scatter seed in all directions; other than this interesting facility it would seem to have little to recommend it for house decoration.

Of the two common names. money plant seems to be by far the most suitable as far as the plant supplier is concerned. On a visit to our nursery some years ago, a charming Indian girl, with a surprising knoWiledge of plants, informed us that in her country the saying went that you would never be without money if you had a scindapsus plant in the house – a good reason for us all to have one.

The variegated form Sasifraga sarinentosa tricolor is much less vigorous, requiring more careful handling, and will certainly need the higher temperatures indicated above. It will also do better if confined to small pots, as growth is not sufficiently active to justify planting them in hanging baskets as suggested above for the green form.

A moist moss support for plants to climb and get their roots into will greatly improve their performance. Potting compost should be peaty- in its composition and the inclusion of a little good leafmould will be an advantage if it can be obtained.

If you want to create a sleek and gorgeously sophisticated look in your home, why not find an indoor water fountain that suits that design? With a great indoor water fountain, you’ll find that you can add a modern touch to your home and make sure that you have lovely place to live.

With a contemporary wall fountain of this sort in your room, you’ll find that you can make a wonderfully striking impression. In addition to the decorative aspect, they are also wonderfully easy to clean. Their polished surfaces, flat panels and their choice of different textures to choose from can help you outfit your home in a way you have never considered.

One great advantage regarding steel is that it is wears very well, and you’ll find that a good fountain of this sort can last you for years, adding beauty and wonder to your space. They look great, and you’ll be adding some terrific depth and class to any room you set it up in. you can get a great conversation piece as well as giving your visiting guests a real visual treat; this is terrific way to stimulate the eye.

If you are in search of good looking outdoor furniture to be used for your deck and you prefer quality furniture that displays a sense of style and luxury, then deck furniture made of deck would be the best option. None of the other wood furniture can be as good as the teak and cannot match its excellence. On the other hand teak is also very expensive than other furniture molded out from other materials, and the benefits you receive from them are always worth their price.

The looks of teak deck furniture are for sure very understandable. There is after all, something that has to be said regarding the durability of the wood that is been used in the boats craftsmanship. If teak can tolerate or bear the harsh things of the powerful sea, then furniture of the teak deck can surely bear all the wear and tear that you backyard would put through.

With its supremely exotic flowers and a name that leaves nothing to be desired one would expect the strelitzia to be one of the most popular of plants, but there is a snag. The snag is that they take three to five years to produce these flowers and there seems to be no way of hastening nature’s slow process.

The variety Sireptocarpus Constant Nymph is an excellent plant producing a succession of violet-blue flowers on slender stems over a long period, and is not in the least difficult to increase in numbers, by inserting complete leaves or leaf sections in peaty compost at a temperature of about 18C. (65F.).

There is also a white form of this plant which is equally easy to care for. In recent years a number of hybrids have also been developed and there is now a wide colour range to choose from. A lightly shaded position which is also cool and airy should be provided. Feed regularly during the spring and summer and pot on vigorous plants annually using a standard house plant compost which is not too heavy; that is, with a reasonable amount of peat in its make up to prevent it becoming compacted.

Orchids are gorgeous flowers, and are moderately easy to take care of if you have a basic understanding of how to care for them. How you pot your orchid will help the plant maintain new growth and help it continue to bloom.

If you have to do something before the actual act – is that step one? If so – then, step 1 – do some research. Your type of orchid has its own special needs when it comes to potting material. It may need fir bark or some moss. Some species do well with coconut husk. Find out what your orchid needs and use that.

It is important that your potting material provide for air ventilation and that it gives some structure to the root system of your orchid.

In the tropical rain forests that they are native to, orchids grow high up in the trees with their roots exposed to air and weather, so the roots are used to being dry, but cannot sustain long periods of being completely saturated.